Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc.

A Quarterly Newsletter from Catholic Charities - February 2004

Children Enjoy One of Catholic Charities’ Oldest Traditions

Sergio and Alma Arredondo have volunteered for 25 years at the Cardinal’s Christmas Party for Children as Santa and his helper.

At a memorable event, Catholic Charities of Los Angeles helped make the holiday season a little easier for nearly 600 disadvantaged boys and girls at the 54th Annual Cardinal’s Christmas Party for Children. On December 6th, youngsters from numerous Catholic Charities’ community centers set the Cathedral Conference Center buzzing with activity.
The children, aged 5-8, arrived wearing brightly colored Catholic Charities’ baseball caps and were each greeted with a bag full of toys and candy. They enjoyed many activities through out the day: having their faces painted; watching a nativity video; having lunch; watching a magic show by Rick the Magician and a puppet act by Bob Baker Marionettes. Christmas music permeated the activity rooms while St. Monica’s Clown Ministry volunteers made balloon animals and hats to the delight of the children. Outside, a petting zoo and play garden offered further amusement.
Ringing bells signaled the arrival of a surprise visitor all the way from the North Pole: Santa! Each child savored his or her one-on-one time with St. Nick, receiving a toy donated by Mattel, decorating photo frames, and having his or her photo taken while on Santa’s lap.
The party is sometimes the only Christmas festivity a child may experience that year. The day is truly an unforgettable and joyous event for all attendees, including Cardinal Roger Mahony, Monsignor Gregory Cox, the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, all the volunteers and staff, and especially the children.

The Annual Cardinal’s Christmas Party for Children provides a memorable holiday experience for 600 underprivileged boys and girls ages 5 to 8 years. Youth participate in arts and crafts such as creating frames for their photos with Santa.

The agency greatly appreciates the gracious hospitality of Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik, Rector of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, as well as the cheerful assistance provided by our “elves,” all our volunteers, including those from the Ladies of Charity, also Sergio “Santa” and Alma Arredondo who have volunteered for 25 years, and many Catholic Charities’ board members and employees.
Catholic Charities is dedicated to helping even the youngest of those in need. Proceeds from the party allow for Catholic Charities to give food and toys to thousands of needy families and their children during the holiday season.


	A Message from the Executive Director, Monsignor Gregory A. Cox
	On January 9, 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger submitted his proposed 2004-05 Budget to the State Legislature. His recommended cutbacks would substantially limit enrollment in a number of key health and social service programs. Over 110,000 fewer California children would have health coverage in 2004-05 under the Governor’s budget. Reductions in the number of people served in Medi-Cal would also be a consequence in what is being proposed. If his budget is approved, it would result in a significant loss of Federal funds. Californians would lose $202.5 million in federal food stamps from the termination of the Transitional Food Stamp program. If the changes in eligibility, enacted earlier this year, were rescinded, 81,000 fewer households would receive food stamps in 2004-05. As the Governor and the Legislature review options to balance the budget, it is paramount that they not make the poor more vulnerable as the needy make attempts to stablize their lives. Leading economic indicators tell us that the economy is improving. In addition to the improving economy, California’s welfare caseload has decreased significantly since 1995. However, many former welfare recipients are not working, and many who do work do not earn enough to support their families. This is a critical time for former welfare recipients to remain on the road to independence. There is no question that we must be willing to make sacrifices to balance our State budget, but let us not ask those who have very little to sacrifice what little they have.